MSPCA: How to keep small pets healthy

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The Dedham Transcript

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Posted Jun. 6, 2014 at 3:49 PM

Posted Jun. 6, 2014 at 3:49 PM

DEDHAM

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The following is contributed by specialist veterinarians at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. As our pets are living longer and their healthcare needs evolve, these articles are designed to equip readers with information related to specific health conditions and available treatment options. We’ll be publishing a new article every month, spanning a variety of pet health topics.

By Dr. Elisabeth Simone-Freilicher

DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice), Angell Animal Medical Center

As a major 24-7 emergency and specialty services hospital in the heart of a large metropolitan area we see lots and lots of small exotic animals every year — nearly 1,750 in 2013 alone. There are several reasons for this but the most prominent is that small animals — from birds to ferrets to guinea pigs and hedgehogs — can be easy to keep and enjoyed by all members of the family.

As importantly, veterinary medicine has made many advances in recent years in our ability to meet the individualized health and wellness needs of small exotic animals, in both expected and some very surprising ways!

For example, guinea pigs are sweet and adorable pets that have long been fan favorites, popular with individuals as well as families with young kids. They often are selected as "starter pets" to help children form bonds with animals which can last a lifetime and give them experience in caring for an animal. Guinea pigs are not without their health concerns, however. Some of the more common health issues we see are related to lack of fiber in the diet, and include digestive issues as well as severe dental overgrowth. Respiratory diseases are another common health issue. There are a number of bacteria as well as lack of vitamin C in the diet that contribute to respiratory ailments in guinea pigs — leading to sneezing, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing, or in severe cases, even death.

Because these bacteria thrive in dirty cages, it’s important for cages to be cleaned frequently, and non-irritating bedding used. If an infection is suspected, a visit to the veterinarian for an examination is highly recommended. Today’s exotic mammal veterinarians can employ a range of sophisticated diagnostic tests, including cultures, radiographs (x-rays) and advanced imaging to determine the extent of the infection and, if necessary, treat the patient in the hospital, providing oxygen and supportive care until he is well enough to support himself.

In addition to birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, and hamsters, we also see a lot of hedgehog patients as the animals are becoming increasingly popular. Hedgehogs can suffer from a range of maladies including obesity (usually from a high calorie diet), skin mites, eye issues, and even cancer and heart troubles. Occasionally hedgehogs suffer from a condition sometimes called Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, a neurological condition marked by progressive paralysis. Right now there is no cure for this condition and its symptoms can mimic those of other conditions — so hedgehogs presenting these symptoms should be taken to the doctor so that accurate testing can establish proper treatment requirements.

Page 2 of 2 - Surgery for the Smallest Patients

In addition to the common health concerns faced by avian and exotic patients, I’m often asked just how we perform surgery on such small and delicate creatures. Well, the answer is: under magnification and very carefully.

Today’s avian and exotic veterinarians make use of highly customized protocols for anesthesia and pain medicine — developed solely to meet the needs of the smallest patients — as well as specially adapted surgical instruments and equipment to ensure safe, precise surgeries that can increase the odds of the best possible outcome. For example, we recently performed such a microsurgery on a beloved eight-year-old parakeet named "Birdie" who crawled inside a shop style vacuum cleaner moments before her unsuspecting owner switched it on.

Birdie was thrown about the canister violently and suffered a severe fracture to one of her wings. The wing required a partial amputation — a delicate procedure on a bird that weighed only 45 grams. Once she was stabilized, we used special microsurgical instruments to remove just over a quarter of her wing prior to bandaging her and getting her into recovery. Several weeks later Birdie is back home and doing well.

Birdie is just one example of the hundreds of avian and exotic surgeries done every year on much loved pets. My best advice for anyone looking to adopt an avian or exotic pet is to do their homework on the basic requirements (dietary, husbandry, behavioral, social) that the animals require and ensure they know who to call and what to do should a health problem arise.

About the Author

Dr. Simone-Freilicher is one of fewer than 140 doctors in the world who are board-certified in Avian Medicine. She has also completed specialty training in Exotic Medicine, including rabbit and rodent dentistry, medical and surgical treatment of ferret diseases, and reptile medicine and surgery. Dr. Simone-Freilicher is available by appointment for primary care as well as consultation or referral of avian and exotic cases.

Dr. Simone-Freilicher has over 20 years' experience in pet bird biology, husbandry, behavior, and medicine. In 2010 she was recognized by the Association of Avian Veterinarians for "outstanding service and commitment to advancing and promoting avian medicine and stewardship."

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Simone-Freilicher has written numerous articles for Veterinary Practice News, Critters USA, and Rabbits USA, as well as peer-reviewed case reports for the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Simone-Freilicher has provided educational lectures at meetings and events, and strongly believes that the better educated the pet owner, the better care the pet receives, which can prevent many unnecessary medical conditions.